Brassiere



June 14, 1960 E. E. FARON 72,940,454

BRASSIERE' Filed Nov. 21, 1957 mvsmox.

BRASSIERE Evelyn E. Fat-on, Oak Lawn, 111., assignor to A. Stein Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Nov. 21, 1957, Ser. No. 697,892

Claims. (Cl. 128-491) The present invention relates generally to brassieres, and more particularly to a dual purpose brassiere which nited States Patent in one arrangement forms an ordinary brassiere including full breast cups and supporting shoulder straps, and in another arrangement forms a strapless brassiere having breast cups which expose the upper portions of the breasts of the wearer;

A brassiere having full breast cups and supporting shoulder straps and which is convertible to a strapless brassiere, is a very useful addition to a womans wardrobe. A garment of this type should be perfectly comfortable and at the same time should give proper support to the breasts when worn either with the shoulder straps, or in the strapless fashion. The brassiere should maintain its position about the body of the wearer when worn asa strapless garment or when worn with the shoulder straps.

Accordingly, the principal objects of this invention are the provision of a new and improved brassiere which may be worn with the associated shoulder straps, or Without the shoulder straps as a strapless brassiere; and to provide such a brassiere having excellent comfort and supporting qualities.

Further objects of this invention are to provide a brassiere including a pair of breast cups each having an upper portion adapted to be folded forwardly when worn in the strapless fashion to expose the upper portions'of the breasts of the wearer; to provide a brassiere of the type described having a novel arrangement for firmly and comfortably anchoring the garment around the body of the wearer to maintain the garment in the proper position; to provide a brassiere of the type described which includes novel means for securing the upper portions of the breast cups in the strapless fashion; and to provide a brassiere of the type described which includes decorative edging which becomes exposed to view when the upper portions of the breast cups are folded forwardly.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become known by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings of one embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment'of a brassiere constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the brassiere shown in Figure 1 illustrating the brassiere in the strapless arrangement on the body of a wearer.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the brassiere shown in Figure 1 illustrating the brassiere on the body of a wearer in the arrangement including full breast cups and supporting shoulder straps.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 44 of Figure 1 but showing the upper portion in its forwardly folded position.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4.

The drawings illustrate one embodiment of a brassiere 1 ice formed in accordance with this invention. The brassiere will first be described in the arrangement including full breast cups and supporting shoulder straps, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 wherein the brassiere comprises generally a pair of spaced apart full breast cups 11 and 13, a central panel 17, body encircling panels 19 and 2 1, and a pair of detachable straps 23 and 25. Each of the full breast caps 11 and 13 has an uppermost portion 15 which is forwardly folded into overlying relation with the respectively-adjacent outer surfaces of the breast cups when the garment is converted and worn in the strapless arrangement, as shown in Figure 2. Each of the breast cups 11 and 13 also has co-acting means for securing the folded uppermost portion 15 to the respectively'adjacent outer surface of the breast cup when the garment is converted to the strapless arrangement.

The breast cups 11 and 13 are each of a size to fully envelope the breasts thereby aiding in providing excellent comfort qualities, and are of substantially like construction, except that the cups are of right and left hand cut. The breast cups '11 and 13 may be constructed in various ways to provide proper support to the breasts, and to provide an uppermost portion which is adapted .to be forwardly folded to reduce the height of the breast cups.- In this disclosed embodiment, each of the breast cups 11 and 113 comprises an outer overlying fabric cup 29 and an inner supporting cup 27 of lesser height than the outer cup 29. Y

The outer fabric cup 29 may be of any suitable fabric, such as decorative lace, and may be formed in a variety of ways. In this instance, the outer cup 29 includes a pair of lower sections 41 and 42 and anupper section 43. The lower sections are joined :together'along a central generally vertical seam and are joined to the upper section along a generally horizontal seam 45 which runs approximately through the nippleengaging'area of the breast cups. In this disclosed construction, the upper section 43 is of generally triangular shape and includes edges 47 and 49 which meet at a point '51 slightly outward of the vertical center of the breast cups.

Various suitable engagement means may be provided on each of the breast cups for detachable inter-engage ment with co-acting means for attaching the shoulder straps 23 and 25 or with co-acting means for securing the forwardly folded uppermost portion 15 when the brassiere is in the strapless arrangement. In bodiment, the engagement means is a button 52 located adjacent the point 51 of each'of the breast cups. The button 52 is preferably of ,thin and flat. form in order to protrude as little as possible so as to be unnoticeable under outer garments of the wearer.

The inner supporting cup 27 may be formed in hufacing of the brassiere. The textile fabric elements are laminated through the agency ofa suitablefmoisture proof, water insoluble ply of rubber or other material which, due to its ability to withstand the effectsof moisture in the form of water, will maintain thefabric members permanently in laminated condition. The lam'i nated fabric section may embody materials other'tlian flannel and rubber, but these specificmaterials are wensuited fo'r use in this construction.

In the disclosed embodiment the inner cup 27 is of similar construction to the outer cup and includesa paif of lower sections 31'.and.a n upper section33. As in the outer cup, the lowersections are joined together alon'g'a proper position on the body of the wearer. a. V One of the 'novel'features'of this invention is, a means whereby thetbrassieremay be'inaintained in the'proper central generally vertical seam and are joined to the upper'section'alongfa generally horizontal seam 35 which a 7 runs approximately through the nipple engaging area of the breast cups.

, 'jThe' upper sectionf33 of the-inner cup 27,

bodiment, has a lesser l1eight than the upper section 43 of the outer cup 29, and has a generally accurate top edge-37 to which is attached a ,finishingedging or band 39*of decorative, lace. The uppermost portion of Qeach' o f the breast cups is defined in thisconstruction as that'jportion, of the outer upper section 43 which extends upward of the top edge 37 ,of the inner upper section33 V i f p Q The height of ,the uppermost portion 15 should be "no greater than the height, of the inner'wupper section I and is desirably of somewhat lesserfheight. As a con.-

7 sequence, when the uppermost portion 15 is forwardly 7 fglded 'into overlying relation with the adjacent per a tion or the upper outer, section 43, the .uppermost por- V f tignl 15 is disposed entirely above the 'horiz ontal seam 45. n this. liashion, the general body contour or silhou- ,ztte will not be adversely afiected by an edge of the up-i i Q ip'ermiostportion 15 extending downwardly and, outward- 1y, beyond the upper section of the breast cup.

' The breast cups may be construc'ted with the upperi edge 37 'of the inner cup suitably secured to the upper' position about thebody of the wearer with more comfort -and with less contractiverforce. Secured along the inside surface of the elastic bands61 and63 are a plurality of V bands 65 of heavy'threadsvof rubber or other suitable rubberf-like extensible material which are arranged and grouped together to forrn a series of'hills and Vales which with slight contractiye fprce will firmly adhere to the flesh of the wearer t'o insure and maintain the proper position of the brassiere about the body of the wearer. Inthis emhodimentthebands 65 are of generally rectangular cross section althoughbands of other cross sec- 'tions may be employed. Various; arrangements of the individual bands'65rz" andy65l which are se cured parallel;

bands 65 may beemployed, however, a preferred construction is illustrated Eigures-Aand 5, which comprises a series of spaced apart pairs 64 of bafids which extend longitudinallytof the elastic bands 61 and 63.

Each of the spacedapart pairs 64 of bands" comprises to and adjacent each otherby a seriesrof spacedapart stitches 67; ,Thestitches 67 tightly crimp or squeeze the bands 65 to the underlying elasticban'd' 61 or 63, and

section 43 of the outer fabric cup 29 or the; upper edge providing a definitive foldlineiabout which the uppermost portion 15 may be forwardly folded. 'However, other desirable features may be obtained 'by leaving the inner and outer cups unstitched along their upper regions ito' thereby aid "in the prevention of puckeringrdue to the possibility of, uneven shrinkage rates of'the inner and 'outerg cups, and to thereby allowsthe inner and outer I V cups to be spaced from'one another to aid in dryin'g'of the garment after washing. It is desirable to provide'a i ';linin'g; 53 for the outer upper section 43' including the uppermost portionlS so as to obtain a 'smooth outerfsur face-when the uppermost portion '15 i'sforwardlyfolded.

; 1 37 may be left free of attachment to the uppersection f 43. In the disclosed construction, the suppersedge' 37 a isjsecured jby stitching to the'upper section 43 of the fabric, cup 29. This construction has the advantage 'of leave generallyundist'urbed the rectangular cross section of the greater central portion of the individual bands'65 extending between the stitches 67; ;The stitching is so spaced as to' place the stitches '67 and theaccompanying squeezed portions 6 8a underlyingthe' stitches of one of the bands a adjacent the pentral undisturbed rectangular portions 6% of the adjacentband 65b. The same relation exists between the squeezed portion 68b of the hand 65b and the undisturbed central portions 69a of the band 65a; In the disclosed construction, four spaced 7 4 a series of hills and vales are formed which maintain the,

1 circling panel a p "The central panel 17 is preferably of ineIastic. textile material and extends centrally; between the breast cups 7 I 11 and. 13 heing' secured to respective adjacent side edge "ffjportipiis thereof. Each of the body encircling panels a 19 and f21 is also provided at itsrear end portion interconnecting mean'sifor'interconnection therebetween; I, Such means, for example, may include a plurality of hooks" secured adjacentftheendjof oneof thetbo'dy en:

circling panels. and a plurality of co-aeting eyes secured straps 2 3iori25. v arious' means, well known. in the Q art,-may--'be employed and inithis' case the; means'is providedby afabricloop'57;

Each of the body encircling pan ls 21 is Shirred V on theinsidetadjacent itsupper'edge to an elastic band 61.

7 panels 19 and 21.

apart pairs 64 of bands are employed. In this fashion,

position of the brassiere on the body of th'e wearer without the discomfort accompanying ,a large contraetive force or a wide and/ or heavy elasticband; 1' V The shoulder straps 23 and '25 should each include 1 means at one end for detachably engaging with the upper rear end portion of one of the body encircling panels 19 or 21 and means at the other end for detachably engaging with the breast cup adjacent'the-engaged body en- The shoulder straps 23 and"25 should each preferably include a conventional elastic section and a conventional loop by which the length 'ofthe strap may beadjusted; In the disclosed construction, the shoulder straps;23' and ,25 each include adjacent the rear end 7 thereof a length 81 of elastic material, In this embodiment, ac'oupling, hoolc83, is, provided atthe rear end of'each 'of the shoulder straps-ifor detachable interengagement with meet the loops 57 of the body encircling 'Adjacenttheforward end of-teach of the straps' 23 and 25 are loop means'well knownin the art, indicated generally at 85. gconnected to'the loop through accoupling 87 is a-tab extension 89 of fabric material provided "with suitable means, such as in thiscaseya button hole for engaging with one of the buttons 52' -provide'd on the uppermost'portion 1,5 o'f'e'ach ofthe breas'tcups 19 and 21.

l When the garment is worn as a strapless brassiere, means should be provided for securing the fo'rwardly folded uppermost portion 15 of each of the breast cups 11 and 13 to the respectively adjacent outer surface of the breast cups. Various means maybe employed, however,

inthis embodimenhla loop is secured to the upper section 43 of theouter cup29 in a position so as to be 7 adjacent the button52 ofthe uppermost portion 15' when Ifhe'lower edge portions of the body encircling panels 19 V tension 55 cooperate to contractively hold the brassiere'in land 21; and the central panel17'jare also shirr ecl on the inside} to an elas'tic band 63 which in this embodiment J extends continuously about the lower portion of the brasf fsiere. 'The elastic bands 61 and 63, and'the elastic tab ex the uppermost portion 15 is: forwardly'folded. In this location, the button-52 'may be'interengag'ed with the loop'95 to secure the uppermost portion 15 insa fiat'over- 'ly'ing' positioh. It'will: be noted, that as the point 51 to a which the button 52 is attached is outward of the vertical center of athel'breastcup, so, toogthe loop 95 will hopesitioned outward of the center of the breast cuprf This outward position aids in preventing notice ofthe engaging means through the outer clothes of the wearer Support of the breast cups is aided by providing a U- shaped wire loop 59 adjacent the peripheral side and lower edge portions of each of the breast cups 11 and 13. The wire loops 59 are encased between respective portions adjacent the breast cups of the central and body encircling panels and a U-shaped relatively heavy felt strip 70 secured to the inner side of the central and body encircling panels.

In the arrangement as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the brassiere includes full breast cups and detachable shoulder straps. The brassiere may be converted to the strapless arrangement as shown in Figure 2 by removal of the detachable shoulder straps 23 and 25, and by forwardly folding the uppermost portion of each of the breast cups 11 and 13 and securing the uppermost portions 15 by means of the buttons 52 and the loops 95. When the uppermost portions are thusly forwardly folded, the fullness of the breast cups are reduced so as to more fully expose the upper portions of the wearers breasts. The decorative edging 39 provided adjacent the top edge 37 of the inner cup 33 is also exposed to view when the uppermost portion 15 is forwardly folded and secured. When in the strapless form, proper support of the breasts is accomplished through cooperation of the U-shaped member 59 and the shirred elastic bands 61 and 63 including the novel inside anchoring formation which adheres to the body of the wearer without uncomfortable contractive force. The upper portions of the breast cups are held snugly in place over the breasts due to the elastic band 61 which runs downwardly and rearwardly thereby preventing movement of the upper portions of the breast cups outward of the body of the wearer.

A brassiere constructed in accordance with the present invention when Worn with the associated shoulder straps is fully as comfortable and desirable as any ordinary brassiere. When worn as a strapless brassiere, excellent comfort and support are achieved due to the novel construction including the outward folding of the uppermost portions of the breast cups and the novel anchoring means descnibed herein.

Various changes and modifications may be made in the disclosed construction without departing from the scope of the invention which is to be determined from the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A brassiere comprising a pair of breast cups, a body encircling panel extending from outer side edge portions of each of said breast cups, a central panel joining the adjacent edge portions of each of said breast cups and a pair of detachable shoulder straps interconnecting the breast cups with rearward portions of said body encircling panels, each of said breast cups having co-acting engaging means including a first engaging means adjacent the upper edge thereof and a second engaging means attached to the outer surface thereof at a point spaced below said first engaging means whereby an uppermost portion of said breast cup may be folded forwardly to reduce the height of said breast cup and position said first engaging means adjacent said second engaging means whereby said co-acting engaging means may be interengaged, each of said body encircling panels being shirred adjacent its upper edge to a first elastic band, each of said body encircling panels and said central panel being shin-ed along their lower edge portions to a second elastic band, said first and second elastic bands having stitched on the h side surfaces thereof a plurality of longitudinally extending thin bands of rubber-like material for contractively adhering to the flesh of the wearer to maintain the brassiere in proper wearing position, said detachable shoulder straps each including a third engaging means for interengagement with the first engaging means of one of said breast cups.

2. A brassiere comprising a pair of breast cups, a body encircling panel extending from the outer side edge portion of each of said breast cups, a central panel joining the adjacent edge portions of each of said breast cups, and a pair of detachable shoulder straps for interconnecting the breast cups with rearward upper edge portions of said body encircling panels, each of said breast cups comprising an inner supporting cup and an outer fabric cup, said outer cup having an uppermost portion extending upward of'the central nipple engaging area of each breast cup a greater distance than said inner cup, said uppermost portion of each of said breast cups being forwardly foldable to reduce the height of said breast cup, each of said breast cups having a pair of co-acting engaging means including a first engaging means adjacent rtheupper edge of said uppermost portion of said outer cup and a second engaging means attached to the outer surface of said outer cup at a point spaced below said first engaging means whereby when said uppermost portion of said breast cup is forwardly folded said first engaging means is positioned adjacent said co-acting engaging means whereby said co-acting engaging means may be interengaged, each of said body encircling panels having an upper edge downwardly and rearwardly extending from adjacent the upper side portion of the adjacent breast cup and being shirred adjacent said upper edge to a first elastic band, and each of saidbody encircling panels and smd central panel being shirred along their lower edge portions to a second elastic band, said first and second elastic bands having stitched on the inside surfaces thereof a plurality of longitudinally extending thin bands of rubber-like material for contractively adhering to the flesh of the wearer to maintain the brassiere in proper wearing position, each of said detachable shoulder straps including at the forward end a third engaging means for interengagement with the first engagement means of one of said breast cups.

3. A brassiere comprising a pair of breast cups, a body encircling panel extending from the outer side edge portion of each of said breast cups, a central panel joining the adjacent edge portions of each of said breast cups, a U-shaped wire member adjacent to and encircling the lower and side portions of each breast cup and having upper ends extending to a position immediately adjacent the upper edges of said body encircling panel and said central panel, and a pair of detachable shoulder straps for interconnecting the breast cups with rearward upper edge portions of said body encircling panels, each of said breast cups comprising an inner supporting cup and an outer fabric cup, said outer cup having an uppermost portion extending upward of the central nipple engaging area of each breast cup a greater distance than said irmer cup, saiduppermost portion of each of said breast cups being forwardly foldable to reduce the height of said breast cup, each of said breast cups having co-acting engaging means including a first engaging means adjacent the upper edge of said uppermost portion of said outer cup and a second engaging means attached to the outer surface of said outer cup at a point spaced below said first engaging means whereby when said uppermost portion of said breast cup is forwardly folded said first engaging means is positioned adjacent said coacting engaging means whereby said co-acting engaging means may be interengaged, each of said inner cups having secured adjacent its upper edge an upward extending finishing band forming a finished upper edge to the breast cup which is exhibited when said uppermost portion is forwardly folded to engage said co-acting first and second engaging means, each of said body encircling panels having an upper edge downwardly and rearwardly extending from adjacent the upper side portion of the adjacent breast cup and being shirred adjacent said upper edge to a first elastic band, each of said body encircling panels and said central panel being shirred along their lower edge portions to a continuous elastic band, said elastic bands having stitched on the inside surfaces thereof, a plurality of longitudinally extending thin bands of rubberlike material for contractively adhering to the flesh of the wearer to maintain the brassiere in proper wearing position, and each of said detachable shoulder straps in cluding' at' the forward end a third engaging means for 'interengagement with said first engaging means of one of said breast cups.

a 3 a 4. A brassiere coinp'rising a pair of breast cups, a body encircling panel extending from the outer side edge por tiorrof each of said breast cups, a :central panel joining the adjacent edge portions of said breast cups, eachof said body encircling panels being shirred adjacent, its upper edge to a first elastic band, and each of said'body along their lower edge portions to a second'elastic band, said first and second elastic bands having stitched on the inside thereof a plurality of thin bands of rubber-like material located in close relation, to one lanother for anchoring ofxthe brassiere by contractive engagement 'ther ehetween with t he flesh of the wearer. V -5. A brassiere comprising a pair of breast cups,,a body T encircling panel extending from outer-side edge portions of'each of said breast cups, a central panel joining the adjacent edge portions of each of said breast cups, and a pair of detachable shoulder straps interconnecting said breast cups with the rearward portion of said body encircling panels, said breast'cnps each having an upper 7 encircling panels andsaid central panel being shit-red most portion which is forwardly foldable to reduce the height of said breast clips, each of said body encircling panels being shirred adjacent its ,upper edge'to'a first elastic band; each of said body encircling anels and said central panels being Shirred along their loweredge portions to a second elastic band, said first and second elastic bands having stitched'on theinside surface thereof, a

a plurality of longitudinally extending thin bands of rubber- -like material for contractively'adhering to the flesh of the wearer to maintain the brassiere in proper wearing po sition. V

References Cited'in the tile'of this patent UNITED, STATES PATENTS 

